This Working Life: Steel

Following presentations covering the history of Britain's coal mining and shipbuilding industries, we welcome back Jan Feull and turn our attention to the nation's steel industry. Local interest centres on the fact that on 6th November 1856 the Workington Haematite Iron Company Ltd. was established to manufacture pig iron from locally mined haematite ore. Bessemer steelmaking commenced in June 1877 until closure in 2006. Although there are no local films in the selection, there are rare documentaries, animations and short films which span the twentieth century.

Highlights include footage of the building of the new Tyne Bridge in 1928 and the rare 1945 film STEEL which was shot by award-winning cameraman, and our very first guest, Jack Cardiff.

Thanks to BFI.